Easton S19 helmet

[althoma1 574]

I held the helmet at the product show before the MSH skate. It is shockingly light. It looked fine to me, but I really didn't give it the mirror test, plus I'd used a Carbster for years...the looks of a helmet aren't my top priority - I am more concerned with comfort and protection.

I think it looks better than the Carbster at first glance and is certainly lighter. If a large fits me properly I may consider it in a few years, however; I'm happy with the M11 I picked up that weekend and used for the first time at the skate. The M11 isn't necessarily the prettiest helmet (but isn't any worse than a Carbster), but it's comfortable on my head, a bit lighter than the Carbster (not as light as the S19 of course) and it seems like it's one of the most protective helmets out there based on what I've read.

I think it's good that Easton is coming out with something that's different than other traditional helmets rather than simply focusing on minor design and aesthetic tweaks. While it's nice to have a helmet that looks good, I think most of us agree that the focus should be on protection. Of course if it looks too bad, doesn't vent well and isn't comfortable no one is going to wear the thing so those are valid considertations.

Companies can't exactly afford to invest in new technology and ways of doing things and offer them for free - if the helmet is actually more protective and lighter than others on the market I think it's worth a bit of a premium over the other top end helmets. Cascade kept their price a little lower, but being a newer player in hockey they probably realized that they needed to not only produce a good product, but be competitive price wise. Easton on the other hand, while not veterans in the helmet category, have a more established hockey brand so can likely get away with charging a little more (the manufacturing costs may also simply be higher).

Is the price high? Sure, but if the companies can't make a profit on new innovations in protection what motivation do they have to innovate? They aren't charitable organizations. All the companies still make lower priced options so just like other equipment no one is forcing you to buy the top of the line helmet.

[raganblink 82]

Well when our rep was in the shop we showed some HS kids who were ein with us the helmet, all of them said it was the ugliest thing they've ever seen, and wouldn't be caught dead wearing it (mind you, these kids have hard-ons over the 8k, v10 and 5500). So then they tried it on and held it and were like holy shit, i'd probably wear this.

So to me, i think online sales of this helmet will suck, however in store sales will be better b/c people can try it on and wear it, and plus, its the most rigid thing i've ever seen, so, it will be an interesting seller. As far as performance and all that goes, we'll see ALOT of people in the NHL wear this, as a lot if they could, probably wouldn't wear a helmet at all, and this is the closest thing to that. But the price, is the killer. 170 is a lot of a helmet. Way too much to see it be a GREAT seller.

[DarkStar50 679]

First. the two most important pieces of equipment are at the top and the bottom. Your skates and your helmet. Even after all my years in this business, as skates get more and more expensive with proven technology behind the product and players more than willing to shell out the money for skates, there is an incredible, unexplainable resistance to spending more for helmet protection. Granted, there will NEVER be the helmet that keeps a player concussion free, consumers still have price resistance to the best protection available for their head. I am not saying this helmet is the best protection, just that price continues to be an issue in protecting your head. A very good helmet always costs less than a trip to the ER.

[K9 Unit 1]

you forgot the cup ;) anyways, if i'm paying $170 i want a helmet that looks good, just what i think :)

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Anyone sitting in on the Easton webinar?

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

I think the photo is a little dark and looses some detail. So it may not look as flat on the side in real life. But I haven't seen it in person so it's just a guess.

Not that helmet style matters much to me, if it fits it is fine.

Got this from Easton today - a better angle

[Hockeyman11385 1]

That looks a million times better than the previous shot. May have to look into getting one of those.

[meals7 0]

It looks great in the press shot, definitely a lot better (isn't that the point of press shots though). The only thing that still gets me is the floating Easton logo.. I'm sure it won't look so out of place after a while though.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Seriously, where else could they put it?

It is in the EXACT same spot as the S17/S9 but since the helmet doesn't have a flat facing there in front, it looks different.

[Krev 86]

That picture makes the helmet look sooooooo much better. As for the floating logo... nothing a sharpie or electrical tape can't fix.

[HattrickSwayze 3]

You could probably just scratch it off if it bothers you that much.

It does look a lot better in that shot. I like it more than the regular S9/17 helmet, but that's not saying a whole lot.

[K9 Unit 1]

looks way better but still need to get used to the one piece shell look but i'll stick with vn helmets for now

[Cove 38]

If it fits this may be my helmet choice of the 7100

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

2010 Cat review is up

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

im kind of curious to take one apart, someone want to front the cash? lol.

[goaliemanshark 6]

Is the PDF of the easton catalog working for anyone? I get an error message!

[HattrickSwayze 3]

Says it will be posted 12/18. Seeing as how 12/18 is only a few hours old, I'd give it until later tonight.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

Should be ok now?

[roscoe6 1]

MUCH better picture. I must be the minority in liking the logo. I really want to hold one in real life, and see how ridiculously light this thing is.

JR - Catalog works fine for me. Thanks as always!

EDIT - One quick question for those of you have held it; Would pairing this helmet with a cage feel too front heavy? If this is the case maybe Easton could do something like they do in the SE16 stick with the FWT. Maybe intentionally putting a little more weight at the back of the helmet, and give it a lower level branding.

[Jarick 5]

It's always looked fine to me. Then again I wore an Intake.

I wonder what impact super tough composite helmets would have on fighting? If the trend toward mandatory visors and helmets continues along with tougher materials, how do you even throw a punch without breaking a hand?

[chippa13 1844]

Aim for the face. The guys who do it on a fairly regular basis have toughened up their hands over the years. If the helmets keep getting harder then you'll see a lot less skilled guys throwing mitts. Their coaches just won't allow it.

[DarkStar50 679]

It's always looked fine to me. Then again I wore an Intake.

I wonder what impact super tough composite helmets would have on fighting? If the trend toward mandatory visors and helmets continues along with tougher materials, how do you even throw a punch without breaking a hand?

The helmet is not made of composites. At least I don't think so.

[JR Boucicaut 3797]

DS - no, it is not.

While the correct term for a mixture of materials is "composite," at least in our business when that word is used it means a carbon base, which this helmet is not.

[Viking 1]

Got this from Easton today - a better angle

*picture*

In the new picture, the look kind of reminds me of the Jofa 690. Obviously, the vents are different, but the shape, and that little ridge (don't know what to call it) behind the ugly floating logo remind me of the 690.

[xaero604 0]

Not that my opinion matters much but I'm wondering why people are so against the $170 price tag. Didn't the 9500 come out at a ridiculous price before it became more reasonable at $99? It still retails for $200 up here in Canada. No doubt the S19 will cost around the same.

As for the looks, I don't know why almost everyone says it doesn't resemble the S17. It's almost a spitting image!! And I'm basing that from the original picture JR took! All the lines are copied from that helmet and used on this one. I recall someone mentioning it's their brand styling and that's very true. Look at any brand, especially cars, and you will notice that they have their particular design elements to separate them from the rest of the competition.

Darkstar50, I can emphathise that buying the best in helmets is justifiable and maybe you already know what I'm about to say. No offense, but I honestly think that the large reason why most people buy cheaper helmets is because they're under the assumption, myself included, that if the cheap helmets are on the market, that means they have already passed safety certification and should provide adequate protection comparable to that of a more expensive one. The way I see it, the most expensive helmets just use lighter, more expensive materials and have more adustability. It's like buying a car with more bells and whistles - if the options came free of charge, who wouldn't want more?